It's surreal to me, especially having spent two years covering the Saints. I was there in 2006 when the Saints had their best showing ever, only to get cut down 39-14 by the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game.
The next season, things took a turn for the worse as New Orleans lost its first four games. The catch phrase around the locker room was "Don't take the cheese," meaning that Sean Payton had advised his team not to buy into all of the negativity that was being perpetuated by the media. The Saints went 7-9 and failed to make the playoffs that season, but there was always the feeling that this team had the potential to do something special.
In the interest of complete honesty, I never thought we would be sitting here calling the Saints Super Bowl champions, but this may be one of the single most important events in the history of the Pelican State. The Saints — or "The Aints," as they've been dubbed during less-than-successful seasons — have suffered for years, but because of them, people are now dancing in the streets of the French Quarter. It's business as usual in the Crescent City.
The scars from Katrina still remain. But as the years pass, New Orleanians have been more and more able to focus on the positive, and it doesn't get much more positive than your first championship.
And it couldn't have happened to a better guy. Drew Brees is the personification of class. He always treats the media fairly, he's a true sportsman and most importantly, he's a fantastic humanitarian who donates a bulk of his free time to the people of New Orleans.
That's what folks from the Big Easy are all about. I know there were all those stories about how chaotic things were post-Katrina, but the people of New Orleans are kind and giving. Just try and make your way to a Saints game without a complete stranger stopping you to ask if you'd like a bowl of gumbo or jambalaya. And if it's crawfish season, then forget about it!
All in all, this year's Super Bowl crown couldn't have gone to a better city. New Orleans needed this win, not only for the weak and weary fan base, but for the terrific city of supportive, long-struggling fans.
It's been a long time coming, Saints, and for your efforts, I applaud you with a great big "Who Dat!"
But watch out, the Pats will be looking for revenge in 2010!
